From concept to market, with design, strategy and sourcing.
ABOUT
My name is Giovanna Leone Kuster, an industrial designer from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, working across product development, brand strategy, trend research and global sourcing.
Throughout my career, I have developed products from early concept to market, connecting creative direction with consumer insight, manufacturing feasibility and commercial strategy.
From concept to market, with design, strategy and sourcing.
I design with the market in mind, connecting creativity, consumer insight and manufacturing to turn ideas into products that can succeed in the real world.
Experience across the product journey.
Research & Strategy
Trend research, market analysis, consumer behavior and category opportunities.
Product & Brand
Concept development, product design, CMF, packaging and brand direction.
Sourcing & Development
Supplier development, costing, sampling, manufacturing feasibility and production follow up.
Market & Commercial
Retail understanding, assortment strategy, client projects and product positioning
Global & Market perpective
Working directly with manufacturers and suppliers has given me a practical understanding of how design decisions translate into cost, tooling, materials, production and scale.
Through multiple trips to China, visits to the Canton Fair and direct collaboration with suppliers throughout development and production, I have built a strong international sourcing perspective.
Trade fairs including The Inspired Home Show in Chicago, APAS, ABCasa and PETSA have also expanded my understanding of consumer behavior, retail trends and category opportunities.
Client Relationship & Special Projects
Beyond product development, I have worked closely with major retailers and commercial partners, translating business needs into tailored product and assortment solutions.
Product development · Exclusive collections · Retail projects
Education
Fundação Getulio Vargas | Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Business Management with Emphasis on Innovation and Leadership
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro | Bacharel of Arts
Industrial Design
2016 - 2020
2021 - 2022.2
Experience
From design execution to product strategy, sourcing and leadership.
Grupo Ecoa
My journey at Grupo Ecoa has evolved from design execution into a broader role across product strategy, category development, sourcing and manufacturing.
2020 to Present
Product Strategy · Category Development · Global Sourcing · Manufacturing · Leadership
Industrial Design Lead
Leading the development of consumer products and collections across multiple categories, connecting market opportunities, design direction, supplier development and manufacturing.
My role combines product strategy, trend and market research, international sourcing, cost and feasibility analysis, supplier managemenet and collaboration with commercial, marketing and planning teams.
Brand Strategy · Product Portfolio · Creative Direction · Commercial Strategy
Creative Lead, Oikos Animal
Led the development of the category across product, brand, sourcing and commercial strategy.
Product Development · Market Research · Sourcing
Industrial Designer
Developed products and collections based on market trends, consumer behavior and commercial opportunities.
Product Design · Trend Research
Junior Industrial Designer
Developed products and collections across consumer goods categories.
Packaging · Visual Identity
Junior Packaging Designer
Developed packaging and communication materials for products and collections.
EARLIER EXPERIENCE
Junior Industrial Designer
Indio da Costa Licensed A.U.D.T
2019 to 2021
Product, furniture and packaging development for national and international clients.
Research Internship
2018 to 2019
LAMP, PUC Rio
User centered research, rapid prototyping and digital fabrication.
Research Internship
2017 to 2018
Industrial Design Lead
Tecgraf, PUC Rio
Research, 3D modeling and prototyping.